07/09/2026
๐ด ๐
๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐จ๐ง ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ญ โ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐กโ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐
On 20 August, Rossdales Hertfordshire vet Eleanor Kigozi and veterinary technician Emma Chuck were called to a truly challenging emergency.
Joseph, a magnificent 18.2hh Shire weighing around 900kg, had become almost completely submerged in deep mud in a partially dried-up pond. With his huge size and the extreme depth of the mud, getting him out safely was going to be no easy task.
๐ Working alongside crew members from Biggleswade, Bedford Community and Kempston Fire Stations, the team carefully planned and carried out a complex rescue that took around two hours.
The moment Joseph was finally freed, Eleanor and Emma got to work providing intensive veterinary care, supporting him as he recovered from the ordeal and helping him regain enough strength to get back onto his feet.
Eleanor then continued to monitor Joseph closely over the following two weeks, providing ongoing veterinary support every step of the way.
The best news is that Joseph is now doing brilliantly and is back to his old self! ๐ฅฐ
This incredible rescue is another wonderful example of what can be achieved when veterinary expertise, dedication and emergency-service teamwork come together.
Coincidentally, Josephโs rescue was the second deep-mud horse emergency in just a fortnight, following the case of Guinness, who was treated by our Newmarket vets. You can read Guinnessโs story in our post from 20 August.
A huge well done to Eleanor and Emma, and our heartfelt thanks to the Fire and Rescue crew members involved in bringing Joseph safely home. โค๏ธ๐๐ด
What a team effort! ๐
Biggleswade Community Fire Station
Bedford Community Fire Station
Kempston Community Fire Station
